Tallon vows to stay aggressive after Versteeg trade: ‘I’m not happy where the team is’

Pro Hockey Talk | Nov 15

On Thursday night, Panthers GM Dale Tallon made waves by sending Kris Versteeg back to Chicago in exchange for prospects Jimmy Hayes and Dylan Olsen.

Apparently, there are more waves to come.

“I’m not happy where the team is,” Tallon said, as per the Miami Herald. “We’re going to continue to be aggressive, help the franchise move forward.”

In this instance, being aggressive meant taking on some financial responsibility. Florida is absorbing 50 percent of Versteeg’s salary and cap hit for the three remaining years on his four-year, $17.6 million deal — meaning the Panthers are now carrying a $2.2 million cap hit and paying Versteeg around $2.3 million annually until 2016.

Yes, welcome to the new NHL, where GM’s looking to deal have to find creative ways to get it done.